Fouling resistant flow metering system

ABSTRACT

Appurtenances added to a pipe mitigate the effects of upstream valves, sluice gates or pipe elbows to condition the pipe flow for accurate flow rate detection by a reverse propeller meter. Further appurtenances allow the reverse propeller meter to be used in extreme debris situations such as weeds, vines and moss present in many canal systems. The system provides an electronic signal that indicates flow rate and accumulated flow volume, or the signal can be transmit to a central headquarters for remote gate control or canal automation.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/628,830, filed on Nov. 7, 2011, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference hereby.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a system of measuring and controllingwater in channelized flowing bodies of water so as to distribute it fromlarge delivery-system canals to irrigated-farm users.

Propeller meters of various types have been extensively employed formeasuring flow rates and accumulated volume of water delivered throughpipelines that have sufficient length to establish suitable flowprofiles for accurate detection of flow velocity by the propeller meter.Debris accumulations on a supporting member that holds the propellermeter in a conventional position facing into the approaching flow limitstheir use to clean flows.

Applications of prior art using the said propeller meters are limitedbecause, inter alia, existing pipe installations usually haveinsufficient length between upstream flow disturbances, such as thecontrol sluice gate or by a pipe elbow, and the propeller meter.Conventional configurations fail to handle debris such as weed and mossdebris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described are devices that cause debris such as, for example, weeds,grass, and other materials to bypass the blades of a propeller meteroperative to generate a control signal. The propeller meter can be usedto generate an electronic control signal under conditions previouslyconsidered too difficult for propeller meters.

In an embodiment, disclosed is a system of measuring and controllingwater flow rate in channelized flowing bodies of water, converting thecanal flow to conditioned pipeline flow while bypassing weeds, grass,and other debris, such as frequently encountered in irrigation canals.The system simultaneously conditions agitated input flows from sourcessuch as sluice gates to produce a suitable flow profile that can use apropeller meter to generate an electronic output. The output can be usedto indicate flow rate, accumulated flow delivery volume, and as acontrol output to regulate upstream valves or gates for flow control,remote control, or automation. Flow accuracy is sustained by thedurability of the installed pipe and the use of conventional producedand calibrated sensors and propeller meters. As an alternative to watermetered through a slide gate using standard orifice formulas,embodiments of the system, for example as installed downstream of thecanal delivery gate, offers an accuracy of +/−2%. Field testing hasverified that the claims of +/−2% is approximately sustained and farexceeds most irrigation management demands.

In an embodiment, flow sensor is a reverse propeller meter. The reversepropeller meter is configured to generate the electronic output. Thesystem can be configured to measure canal flows or for insertion ofwater or canal flows into existing pipelines.

A reverse propeller meter uses a conical propeller suspended from thepoint, or nose, of the propeller, at the end of a 45-degree slopingsupport member in order to shed some leaves and short grasses. Anexample of a conventional reverse propeller meter is that of McCrometer,Inc., 3255 Stetson Avenue, Hemet, Calif. 92545-7799. However the reversepropeller meter fails to shed common debris materials such as, forexample, long vine and moss infestations that commonly found in WesternUnited States canal systems. As such, in one embodiment, disclosed is apipe section equipped with appurtenances to condition a flow from anupstream sluice gate, valve or pipe elbow so that the flow is suitablefor velocity detection by the reverse propeller meter. In addition,other appurtenances in the pipe pass debris safely past the flow-sensingpropeller.

In an embodiment, the system is configured to replace or substituteother point sensing systems, such as magnetic probes, Pitot tubes, andacoustic based probes.

On an outlet end of the disclosed system, and its various installationsituations, an added section of pipe is attached for several purposes.This section has a large slot of width approximately equal to one-thirdpipe diameter and of length equal to approximately one-foot length foreach two cubic-feet-per-second of discharge rate. The pipe section isconfigured to maintain full pipe flow to accommodate a reverse propellermeter installation. In an embodiment, the pipe section comprises seepageholes to allow the pipe section to dry between uses in order to, interalia, provide a measure of insect control (e.g. mosquitoes).

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take atleast the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextdictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarilylimit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms.The phrase “an embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer tothe same embodiment, though it may. In addition, the meaning of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references; thus, for example, “anembodiment” is not limited to a single embodiment but may refer to oneor more embodiments. Similarly, the phrase “one embodiment” does notnecessarily refer the same embodiment and is not limited to a singleembodiment. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator,and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed or are apparent fromand encompassed by, the following description. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing brief description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary (i.e., illustrative) andexplanatory of the present invention, but are not intended to berestrictive thereof or limiting of the advantages, which can be achievedby this invention in various implementations. Additionally, it isunderstood that the foregoing summary and ensuing detailed descriptionare representative of some embodiments of the invention, and are neitherrepresentative nor inclusive of all subject matter and embodimentswithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, the accompanyingdrawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrateembodiments of this invention, and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain principles of embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment conduit for channeling liquidcomprising appurtenances for conditioning a liquid flow.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment conduit for channeling liquidcomprising appurtenances for conditioning a liquid flow.

FIGS. 3A-E show embodiments of exemplary conduit installations.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an exemplary parallel conduit system.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an exemplary parallel conduit system.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an exemplary parallel conduit system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional inthis art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However,because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussionof such elements is not provided herein.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “one or more,” andsimilar terms indicate one of a feature or element as well as more thanone of a feature. The use of the term “the” to refer to the feature doesnot imply only one of the feature and element.

When an ordinal number (such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on)is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used(unless expressly or clearly specified otherwise) merely to indicate aparticular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature fromanother feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term.

When a single device, article or other product is described herein, morethan one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) mayalternatively be used in place of the single device/article that isdescribed. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as beingpossessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than onedevice/article (whether or not they cooperate). Similarly, where morethan one device, article or other product is described herein (whetheror not they cooperate), a single device/article may alternatively beused in place of the more than one device or article that is described.Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as beingpossessed by more than one device or article may alternatively bepossessed by a single device/article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include thedescribed device itself, but rather can include the one or more otherdevices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality/features.

The conventional wisdom is that propeller meters, even reverse propellermeters, are severely challenged by the vegetative growth that occurs inopen channel flow canal systems similar to that of an ImperialIrrigation System (IID). Many farm-irrigation, water-delivery systemsdeliver water through a pipe placed through the canal bank, frequentlyunder a canal service road. The pipes are usually 20-feet to 40-feetlong. The opening and closing of a canal head gate, or sluice gate,usually controls the water delivery rate. This partly open sluice gateproduces a strong jet into the pipe that can cause a distorted flowprofile and flow spinning that greatly affects most efforts to sense anaverage velocity in the available length of pipe.

As described herein, velocity-profile conditioning and control of flowspin are achieved using flow conditioning measures between the entrancegate and the propeller meter that control both, and produced a desireduniform-flow profile for the propeller, or most any sensor, to detectaverage velocity. This system can be installed in most locations wherethe farm irrigation liquid deliveries are through a pipe in the canalbank, or any location where a suitable section of pipe could beinstalled. Embodiments can be placed in the beginning of a farm ditchand subsequently used as a culvert crossing by the farm operator. Theability to use the existing control gate at the delivery site is alow-cost measure and does not require changing the basic system to addany additional mechanized elements.

Irrigation flow measuring systems consist of a primary element thatinteracts with the water and a secondary element that providesinformation about this interaction. This information is usually thereadout of the flow rate or the accumulated volume. Yet another elementmay be used to convert rate to volume or volume to rate. Both values areuseful for irrigation management. Embodiments of the system can beconfigured to provide both values immediately without furtherprocessing, either at the site or back at the office. Only approximatefield information is required to select a suitable pipe and reversepropeller meter system that can usually be installed in less than a halfday by construction workers.

Also, a meter reader can obtain required data for monthly reports via amonthly reading. Little or no office-staff processing is required exceptperhaps subtracting the previous reading. No hours, or even dates, ofdelivery are necessary to obtain the reportable data. Another advantageis that the system is tamper resistant. The units can be expected tooperate for several cropping seasons with little or no maintenanceattention.

FIG. 1 shows a conduit for channeling liquid comprising appurtenancesfor conditioning a liquid flow. The appurtenances are added to theconduit to mitigate the effects of upstream valves, sluice gates and/orpipe elbows to condition the pipe flow for accurate flow rate detectionby a reverse propeller meter.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment disclosed is:

(a) A conduit for channeling liquid. The conduit is shown as circularpipe 101, however the conduit can be any geometric cross-section.Associated with a length of circular pipe 101, approximately 20pipe-diameters long with a sluice gate 102 at the beginning.

(b) A diffuser 103 comprising a weir-like blade one-fourth pipe 101diameter in height across the pipe 101 bottom and downstream from asluice gate(s) 102 or valves (not shown) to impinge the jet from sluicegate(s) 102 or valves (not shown) and disperse the jet energy across thepipe 101 area. The weir-like blade can be placed a couple of diametersdown the pipe 101 to diffuse the jet energy across the pipe 101.

(c) A first orifice 104 placed along the pipe 101 length downstream fromthe diffuser 103 is configured to divert flows along the pipe 101 walland also to cause cross-mixing and improve the uniformity of velocitiesacross the pipe 101. The first orifice 104 is configured to berelatively large with respect to the diameter of the pipe 101. Forexample, the downstream opening orifice can be from about 85% to about95% open area, for instance about 90% open area. The first orifice 104can be configured to prevent jetting down the pipe 101 wall and forcedcross-mixing of the flow.

(d) An anti-spin flow component 105 comprises a plurality of vanesprotruding from the pipe 101 wall. The veins are configured to halt flowspin before reaching a downstream reverse propeller 110. In anembodiment, the system comprises three or more vanes. The vanes can beconfigured to protrude into the flow at a distance of about one-fourththe pipe 101 diameter. In an embodiment, the vanes comprise slopingupstream edges of with dimensions of one-fourth pipe 101 diameter in theradial direction and three-fourths pipe diameter toward the inflowingwater direction. The sloping edges are configured to avoid collectingweeds and debris.

(e) Downstream of the anti-spin flow component 105, a second orifice 106is configured to cause further cross-mixing to form a more uniformvelocity profile. The resulting velocity profile is similar to that ofthe velocity profile of a long pipe. The second orifice 106 is placed atdownstream location proximate to the vanes of the anti-spin flowcomponent 105. For example, the second orifice 106 is placed at alocation substantially next to or immediately proximate to the vanes.The second orifice 106, is thus directly preceded by the anti-spin vanesthat resemble “shark-fins” protruding from the pipe walls, is positionedfurther along the pipe 101. The second opening orifice 106 can be fromabout 85% to about 95% open area, for instance about 90% open area.

(f) A debris deflection component 107 comprises a large vane 108 with aplurality of side fins 109 a, 109 b attached to the large vane 108 oneither side. The large vane 108 is aligned with the propeller 110 shaft.In an embodiment, the vane 108 includes the side two fins 109 a, 109 b,one on each side of the vane 108 so as to form a horizontal plane. In anembodiment, the debris deflection element 107 comprises upstream slopingedges 117 a, 117 b, 117 c for the two fins 109 a, 109 c and the vane 108respectively, for example in sloping at a proportion of one unitperpendicularly to three units longitudinally. The sloping edges 117 a,117 b, 117 c are configured to obtain a number of advantages, such as toavoid collecting weeds, push debris to the side around the propeller110, and further discourage flow spin. The debris deflection componentthus comprises a long vane 108 attached to the inside pipe 101 top thatpushes weeds and grass down below the propeller 110 blades. Smaller sidefins push the weeds sideways around the meter. A debris-free zone thusexists for the operation of the reverse propeller meter 110.

(g) A uniform velocity profile 112 is generated at approximately theindicated meter location.

(h) A reverse propeller meter 110 generates an electronic signal fordetermining flow rate, accumulate total flow volume, or to be used ortransmitted for local or remote canal gate control using systems forprocessing such signals as known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 3E, in an alternative embodiment, a magnetic, velocityprobe with a debris deflection element 107 as described above describedproportions can be inserted one-eighth pipe 101 diameter into the flowto determine flow velocity and provide the needed electronic signals.Instead of reverse propeller meter 110, the sensor comprises a magneticmeter 120, shown at FIG. 3E. An exemplary magnetic meter 120 can be aMcCrometer Single Point Insertion Mag Meter. The Mag Meter is connectedby a cable to a PLC in an RTU which measures and calculates the waterflow into cfs measurements. As will be appreciated, a full pipe sensorcomprising the magnetic meter 120 takes advantage of Faraday's Law ofElectromagnetic Induction to measure water velocity. Because water is aconductor, water moving through a magnetic field produces a voltage. Themagnitude of the voltage is directly proportional to the velocity of thewater. The sensor generates an electromagnetic field, creating a voltagein the water. Two velocity electrodes, along with a ground electrode,measures this voltage. A faster water velocity produces a highervoltage. By accurately measuring this voltage, the velocity isdetermined and then calculated into flow measurements.

(i) In another embodiment, the system can include removable ortransparent viewing port 111 to insure propeller meter is functioning.

Referring to FIG. 2 an alternate embodiment of the device is shown. Asshown therein, a portion of the conduit 101, sluice gate 102 anddiffuser 103 are replaced by a pipe elbow 201. In the embodiment, thejet is weaker than that of an embodiment comprising a sluice gate 102.Accordingly, the orifices 104, 106 and the anti-spin vanes 105 aresufficient to obtain the desired cross mixing and uniform velocityprofile.

As noted herein, embodiments of the device can also be configured toproduce an electronic output that can indicate liquid flow rate andtotal liquid flow volume that passed the said propeller meter in saidpipe and (a) provide information for automatic gate control at the saidirrigated field location (local control) for constant liquid flow to thesaid receiving irrigated farm field, and also (b) provide informationfor gate control that can be transmitted to a headquarters location forremote control and canal automation; systems for processing suchelectronic output are known in the art and are not further explicatedhere.

Installation

In embodiments, selections of the pipes and flow sensors (e.g. reversepropeller meters) can be adapted for a wide range of canal and irrigatedfield flow delivery situations. For example, embodiments can accommodatea range of available elevation differences between a supply canal watersurface and that of the receiving irrigated farm field water surfaceand/or liquid flow velocities that discourage sedimentation within saidpipe.

Several field situations are typically found in most irrigation deliverysystems. For example, delivery of irrigation water to a farm istypically through a pipe under a maintenance road or through a canalbank. The water flow to the farm is frequently controlled by a roundslide gate fitted directly onto the upstream end of the pipe, eithervertically or at an angle that matches the canal wall slope, or by arectangular sluice gate that controls water to a head-box arrangement towhich the pipe is then attached.

Design Criteria

An exemplary design selection criteria can be employed is to attain aminimum velocity of about 3-ft per second to discourage sedimentaccumulation in the pipe. Another criterion is to minimize head lossesby keeping the velocities below about 7-ft per second. While in somecases it may be desirable to maintain a minimum velocity, the uppervalue of the velocity can be increased, as for example wherever thewater levels of the delivery canal and a farm ditch is large enough.

Examples of accommodating field delivery points are depicted in FIGS.3A-3E. These include installations to (1) insert, (2) replace, (3)append, or (4) splice.

FIG. 3A shows an “insertion” installation, which is appropriate when theselected pipe and meter size is smaller that the original pipe. In thiscase, the original pipe may be large enough to allow low velocities andsedimentation. If so, the original pipe can be cleared of sedimentdeposits as is the case shown in FIG. 3A.

Typically, with this scenario, enough new pipe length is used to insertit substantially proximate to the upstream slide gate, for example a fewinches. Then, enough pipe length is added to place the meter head beyondthe original pipe outlet end at the field ditch side.

If the supply canal is dry, the slide gate can be opened and workers canplace concrete grout around the inserted pipe. When the supply slidegate is not dry and therefore must remain closed, a grouting hole isdrilled through the top of the original pipe and fills enough of thecavity to hold the insertion in place. Therefore retrofits can beinstalled throughout the year. This process does not usually need toprovide a leak-tight seal, because the slide gate should provide this toall downstream points. Also, the insertion pipe length can be limited tothe approximate 20 pipe diameters used to control the flow profile andthe weed deflection hardware, because it need not be accessed from theslide-gate end.

FIG. 3B shows a “replace” installation. In some cases, for example inlocal farm geography, due to old pipe condition and excessive length ofthe canal bank thickness, the old pipe can be dug out and removed andreplaced it with the metering pipe. This can include a new farm deliverygate. Again enough pipe length is supplied to place the meter head in anaccessible location near the outlet end.

FIG. 3C shows an “append” installation. Where the farm geography andlocal access to property allows, the metering pipe can be added to theend of an existing outlet pipe. In many cases, this installation placesthe metering head well onto farm property and local agreements to suchintrusion may be necessary.

FIG. 3D shows a “splice” installation. Such a method of installation canbe used, for example, when the pipe under a road is long and intrusiononto farm property is not desired. In such a case, a section of thesupply pipe can be removed and replaced with the length of the meteringpipe. In an embodiment of the method, a manhole with a cover is built toprovide access to the propeller meter head. The manhole structure can beconstructed to allow road traffic. In another example, the canal slidegate opens into a long pipe that may travel many yards beforedischarging to a farm ditch. Splicing into this length is a viable andeasily installation option.

FIG. 3E shows an installation schematic for an embodiment wherein thesystem's flow sensor comprises a magnetic sensor. Installation follows asequence of excavating the soil downstream of the gate and a smallportion of the concrete lined farmer's ditch. The upstream end of thepipe is collared into the downstream canal discharge pipe as the end ofthe pipe projects into the farmer's ditch where the headwall isreplaced. An access manhole structure is fit about the meter where athreaded access pipe protects the insertion meter as well as giving itan easy means for any required maintenance. A conduit from the meter isburied underground to an electrical panel.

In another embodiment (not shown) an installation method comprisesplacing the metering pipe in an existing ditch. For example, themetering pipe system can be placed into a farm channel or ditch andoverfilled with field soil to assure that the flow must flow through thepipe and be recorded. The soil covering can be applied so as to convertthe pipe section to a ditch crossing, provided the structural propertiesfor the pipe are properly selected using materials known in the art. Insuch an embodiment, the metering system is not connected to the inletgate piping. In some cases, farm canal walls upstream to the ditchheading can be increased.

As will be appreciated, embodiments of the pipe and propeller flowmeasuring system as described herein can be attached to the existingcanal head gate and pipeline system that extends through a deliverycanal bank. This attachment and field installation required ordinaryconstruction skills. The pipe does not require extreme levelness orprecision placement.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show embodiments of a system and installation methodcomprising parallel multiple meter installation 400. Such embodimentscan be configured to accommodate a wide range of liquid flow rates. Theembodiment comprises installing a pipe elbow 201 and metering system asshown in FIG. 2, on a farm side of the usual pipe-under-road situationand installing a metering system as shown in FIG. 1 parallel to the roadso as to avoid significant invasion of the farm field.

As shown in FIG. 4, one embodiment shows adding a pipe 110 to the outletend of an existing field structure. One exemplary advantage is that theaddition often can be implemented without changing the irrigationdelivery structure itself, and results in minimal invasion of the farmfield. As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe 101 includes an elbow joint 201 tothe existing outlet that is turned to parallel to a road-field boundary.A reverse propeller meter 110, then detects the flow velocity in thepipe for determining volumetric delivery. The pipe 101 is equipped withappurtenances as described herein to condition the flow from a gate jetor pipe elbow 201 for accurate velocity detection with the time-tested,reverse-propeller meter 110, and to bypass weeds and grass.

A multiple meter installation can accommodate a flow rate range that isusually beyond the limits of a single meter. For large flows, a controlgate at the pipe 101 end is open, or only closed enough to maintain fullpipe flow to assure proper propeller 110 meter sensing. The upstreamentry gate 122 (FIG. 6) at the supply canal controls actual flow rate.In an embodiment, both meters 110 can be configured to register flowsimultaneously, or in another embodiment, a shutoff gate can beinstalled on the smaller pipe. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment where thesmaller pipe has no shutoff gate.

A multiple pipe outlet as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can accommodate a widerange of flow rates, as for example associated with rice farming.Rice-farm operators typically desire a large flow for initial fieldflooding and a small maintenance flow thereafter, such as that neededfor the current method of rice-crop culture that demands quick initialflooding of seeded rice fields with large flow rates followed byseason-long low, so-called maintenance flows, that are too small to beaccurately recorded by the larger main flow measuring system. Thismaintenance flow rate amounts to about ¼ inch per day. The ratio of thelarge to small flow rate may be more than 20:1. The dual metering system400 that can accurately measure a wide range in flow rates, therebyassuring the delivery of large flow rates to quickly field large basins

In another embodiment, as for example with small maintenance flows, thelarger pipe outlet-end gate can be closed using a pipe sealing gate 122,and the only the small pipe registers flow, which is controlled by smallopening of the upstream gate in whatever way the farm previouslydelivered maintenance flows. In this case, installation is such that thepipe connections are constructed to prevent significant leakage due tothe closing of the large pipe-end gate. Both meter totals provide theinformation for the annual report.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the system including basiccomponents for a high flow rate and low maintenance flow rate using atypical 24-inch pipe and a parallel, but similarly equipped 6-inch pipe.

Table 1 lists the commonly available pipe sizes in terms of inside pipediameter. It also lists the estimated pipe system losses to expect.Thus, where the head difference is small and the desired delivery rateis high, the table will suggest a large pipe. Table 1 also suggests thatthe pipe velocity be maintained above about 3 feet per second todiscourage sedimentation. This may not be practical for small headdifferences requiring large pipes. However, these situations frequentlyhave water with low suspended sediment loads and can usually be made towork.

CANAL REVERSE-PROPELLER WATER METERING SYSTEM Size Q Q velocityV{circumflex over ( )}2/2 g Headloss in cfs gpm ft/s inches in. For pipesizes 16-in to 30-inch I.D.   30^(A) 30 13464 7.55 10.62 27.34 25 112215.1 4.836 12.33 23 10323 4.68 4.092 10.40 20 8977 4.07 3.096 7.87** 156732 3.1* 1.74 4.41 10 4488 2.52 1.1796 3.06 5 2244 1.258 0.295 0.77  27^(A) 25 11221 6.29 7.38 18.77 20 8977 5.03 4.716 12.02 17.5 7855 4.43.612 9.21 15 6732 3.8 2.652 6.77** 12.5 5610 3.14* 1.848 4.71 10 44882.52 1.1796 3.02 5 2244 1.26 0.2952 0.76   24^(A) 25 11221 7.96 11.8230.07 20 8977 6.4 7.56 19.27 15 6732 4.77 4.248 10.86 12 5386 3.82 0.2276.96** 10 4488 3.1* 1.896 4.82 5 2244 1.59 1.896 2.29 22.44^(A) 20 89777.28 9.888 24.42 15 6732 5.46 5.544 13.74 13 5835 4.73 4.176 10.33 125386 4.37 3.564 8.81 11 4937 4.01 2.988 7.40** 10 4488 3.64 2.472 6.12 94039 3.28 2.004 4.96 8.5 3815 3.09* 1.788 4.43 5 2244 1.82 0.618 1.53 31346 1.09 0.2232 0.56   21* 15 6732 6.24 0.605 15.60 12 5386 4.99 0.38712.39 10 4488 4.16 0.269 10.27 8 3591 3.33 0.172 8.17** 6 2693 2.490.097 6.10 5 2244 2.08 0.067 5.07 4 1795 1.66 0.043 4.04 3 1346 1.250.024 3.02   16^(A) 10 4488 7.16 9.564 24.67 8 3591 5.73 4.032 14.25 62693 4.3 3.444 8.91 5.5 2469 3.94 2.892 7.50** 5 2244 3.58 2.388 6.214.5 2020 3.22* 1.98 5.06 4 1795 2.86 1.536 3.97 2 898 1.4 0.384 1.00 Forpipe sizes 4-inch to 12-inch I.D. 12″ max 5.57 2500 10.21 19.45 35.345.00 2244 6.36 7.56 21.25 4.00 1795 5.09 4.84 13.62 12 3.00 1346 3.822.72 7.67** 2.75 1234 3.50* 2.29 6.46 2.00 898 2.55 1.21 3.43 0.50 2240.635 0.08 0.22 12″ min 0.334 150 0.426 0.03 0.09 10″ max 4.01 1800 7.3510.08 30.82 4.00 1795 7.33 10.03 30.67 3.00 1346 5.50 5.64 17.20 10 2.00898 3.67 2.51 7.71** 1.75 785 3.20* 1.92 5.90 1.50 673 2.75 1.41 4.3410″ min 0.279 125 0.51 0.00 0.11  8″ max 3.340 1500 9.57 17.10 29.282.230 1000 6.38 7.60 24.47 1.559 700 4.47 4.86 13.33 1.225 550 3.512.292 7.43** 8 1.114 500 3.19* 1.90 6.16 0.668 300 1.91 0.68 2.23 0.446200 1.28 0.30 1.01  8″ min 0.223 100 0.64 0.08 0.25  6″ max 2.675 120013.62 34.62 123.08 1.114 500 5.67 6.01 21.47 0.891 400 4.53 3.84 13.77 60.668 300 3.40* 2.16 7.78** 0.446 200 2.27 0.96 3.48 0.223 100 1.1350.24 0.89  6″ min 0.201 90 1.021 0.19 0.72  4″ max 1.337 600 15.32 43.80156.85 1.114 500 12.76 30.41 124.21 0.668 300 7.659 10.94 44.93 4 0.446200 5.107 4.87 20.09 0.290 130 3.32 2.05 8.55 0.2785 120 3.06* 1.757.31** 0.223 100 2.55 1.22 5.10  4″ min 0.111 50 1.28 0.30 1.313.0*—Suggested minimum velocity to discourage sedimentation7.0**—Suggested minimum headloss to be provided 30^(A) Maximum andminimum flow rates not listed..

Accordingly, while the invention has been described and illustrated inconnection with preferred embodiments, many variations and modificationsas will be evident to those skilled in this art may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, and the invention is thus notto be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction setforth above, as such variations and modification are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of theappended claims should not be limited to the description andillustrations of the embodiments contained herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for metering liquid flowing in aconduit comprising: a flow sensor disposed in the conduit; a debrisdeflection component connected with a wall of the conduit, positionedupstream of the flow sensor in the conduit, and configured to preventdebris from fouling the flow sensor, wherein the debris deflectioncomponent includes a plurality of planar elements comprising a verticalplanar element and a horizontal planar element, is proximate to the flowsensor, and is aligned with the flow sensor in the direction of theflowing liquid, and a flow conditioning component disposed in theconduit upstream of the debris deflection component, wherein the debrisdeflection component diverts debris around the flow sensor, withoutcollecting debris in the system, while allowing the velocity of a liquidflow in the conduit to be sensed by the flow sensor.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 comprising: a plurality of flow conditioning components; and ananti-flow spin component.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theplurality of flow conditioning components comprise: a firstsubstantially open orifice; and a second substantially open orificepositioned downstream of the first orifice.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the anti-flow spin component comprises a plurality of finsprotruding from a wall of the conduit and positioned upstream andproximate to the second orifice.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein thesecond orifice and plurality of fins are configured to prevent flow spinand improve the accuracy of flow-velocity by the flow sensor.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the flow sensor comprises a flow sensorselected from the group consisting of a reverse propeller meter, pitottubes, and acoustic based probes, or a magnetic sensor.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the flow sensor is the reverse propeller meter.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the vertical planar element comprises asloping vane that is attached to the top of the conduit, the slopingvane being configured to divert debris under the flow sensor.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein a length of the sloping vane and a depth ofthe protrusion of the sloping vane into the conduit are determined bythe diameter of the reverse propeller meter and an expected maximumlength of the debris.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the horizontalplanar element further comprises: a plurality of horizontal side finsattached to the sloping vane to divert debris sideways around the flowsensor, and wherein the shape and size of said horizontal side fins area function of a diameter of the reverse propeller meter and an expectedmaximum length of the debris.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein theflow conditioning component is configured to create a substantiallyuniform liquid flow profile to the flow sensor.
 12. The system of claim1, wherein the flow conditioning component is configured to re-direct aplurality of liquid flows to cross-mix with at least one primary liquidflow so as to obtain a uniform velocity profile for the flow sensor todetect.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow conditioningcomponent is configured to condition a liquid flow formed through apartly open sluice gate upstream of the flow conditioning component. 14.The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: a diffuserdisposed in the conduit downstream of a sluice gate and upstream of theflow conditioning unit.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the flowconditioning component is configured to condition a liquid flow formedthrough a pipe elbow or a pipe tee positioned upstream of the flowconditioning component.
 16. A parallel system of conduits comprising: afirst conduit; a second conduit connected to said first conduit by apipe elbow and running substantially parallel with the first conduit,the second conduit further comprising a smaller cross-section than thefirst conduit, wherein each conduit comprises: a flow sensor disposed inthe conduit; a debris deflection component connected with a wall of theconduit, positioned upstream of the flow sensor in the conduit, andconfigured to prevent debris from fouling the flow sensor, the debrisdeflection component being configured to divert the debris around theflow sensor without collecting the debris in the second conduit, whereinthe debris deflection component includes a plurality of planar elementscomprising a vertical planar element and a horizontal planar element, isproximate to the flow sensor, and is aligned with the flow sensor in thedirection of the flowing liquid, and a flow conditioning componentdisposed in the conduit upstream of the debris deflection component,wherein the debris deflection component diverts debris around the flowsensor, without collecting debris in the conduit, while allowing thevelocity of a liquid flow in the conduit to be sensed by the flowsensor.
 17. The system of 16, wherein the parallel system furthercomprises: an outlet end connected to the first conduit, and a gateconnected to the outlet end, the gate configured being such that when itis closed, only the second pipe registers flow.
 18. The system of claim16, wherein the flow sensors in each conduit are configured to registerflow simultaneously.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the parallelsystem is configured to meter a plurality of flow rates.
 20. The systemof claim 16, wherein the parallel system is configured to meter: aflooding flow rate, and a small maintenance flow rate.
 21. A method ofinstalling a conduit comprising at least one of: connecting a conduit tothe end of an existing conduit; replacing an existing conduit, orinserting the conduit as a section of an existing pipeline, wherein theconduit comprises a system for metering liquid flowing in a conduit, thesystem comprising: a flow sensor; a debris deflection componentconnected with a wall of the conduit, positioned upstream of the flowsensor in the conduit, and configured to prevent debris from fouling theflow sensor, wherein the debris deflector component includes a pluralityof planar elements comprising a vertical planar element and a horizontalplanar element, is proximate to the flow sensor, and is aligned with theflow sensor in the direction of the flowing liquid, and a flowconditioning component disposed upstream of the debris deflectioncomponent, wherein the debris deflection diverts debris around the flowsensor, without collecting the debris in the conduit, while allowing thevelocity of a liquid flow in the conduit to be sensed by the flowsensor.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method of inserting theconduit as a section of an existing pipeline comprises: inserting theconduit substantially proximate to an upstream slide gate, and adding asufficient pipe length of the conduit to place a meter head beyond anoutlet end of the original conduit at a field ditch side.
 23. The methodof claim 21, wherein the method of inserting the conduit as a section ofan existing pipeline comprises: creating a grouting hole through the topof the original conduit; and filling enough of a cavity for holding theinserted conduit with concrete so as to hold the insertion in place. 24.The method of claim 21, wherein the method of inserting the conduit as asection of an existing pipeline comprises: limiting the length insertedconduit to approximately 20 pipe diameters.